Characterization and application of lactic acid bacteria for tropical silage preparation

Abstract

Strains TH 14, TH 21 and TH 64 were isolated from tropical silages, namely corn stover, sugar cane top and rice straw, respectively, prepared in Thailand. These strains were selected by low pH growth range and high lactic acid-producing ability, similar to some commercial inoculants. Based on the analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence and DNA-DNA relatedness, strain TH 14 was identified as Lactobacillus casei, and strains TH 21 and TH 64 were identified as L. plantarum. Strains TH 14, TH 21, TH 64 and two commercial inoculants, CH (L. plantarum) and SN (L. rhamnosus), were used as additives to fresh and wilted purple Guinea and sorghum silages prepared using a small-scale fermentation method. The number of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the forages before ensilage was relatively low but the numbers of coliform and aerobic bacteria were higher. Sorghum silages at 30 days of fermentation were all well preserved with low pH (3.56) and high lactic acid production (72.86 g/kg dry matter). Purple Guinea silage inoculated with LAB exhibited reduced count levels of aerobic and coliform bacteria, lower pH, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen and increased lactic acid concentration, compared with the control. Strain TH 14 more effectively improved lactic acid production compared with inoculants and other strains. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Effects of Lactobacillus buchneri isolated from tropical maize silage on fermentation and aerobic stability of maize and sugarcane silages

“…The intensification of livestock systems to improve animal performance requires more feed with high quality and constant availability. In this context, silage is an important forage source in the tropics because of the dry season, which decreases the forage availability in the pastures (Pholsen, Khota, Pang, Higgs, & Cai, ). In addition, ensiling is the main method of forage preservation in tropical regions, since there are many difficulties to produce hay, due to high humidity and frequent rainfall at harvest period (Bernardes & Rêgo, ).…”

Microbial inoculant and an extract of <i>Trichoderma longibrachiatum</i> with xylanase activity effect on chemical composition, fermentative profile and aerobic stability of guinea grass (<i>Pancium maximum</i> Jacq.) silage

“…In addition, tropical grasses have low counts of lactic acid bacteria (Pholsen et al, 2016) to promote silage pH decrease and prevent growth of undesirable microorganisms (Pang et al, 2012). In order to improve fermentative characteristics and decrease process-related losses, microbial inoculants have been extensively recommended when ensiling forages (Kung et al, 2003).…”

Microbial community dynamics and their contributions to organic acid production during the early stage of the ensiling of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

“…High-quality tropical silages are challenging to obtain due to the lack of efficient fermentation (Pholsen, Khota, Pang, Higgs, & Cai, 2016). High-quality tropical silages are challenging to obtain due to the lack of efficient fermentation (Pholsen, Khota, Pang, Higgs, & Cai, 2016).…”

“…Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), an important tropical grass, is widely used for biofuel and animal feed production in tropical and subtropical regions due to its wide adaptation and high biomass production. High-quality tropical silages are challenging to obtain due to the lack of efficient fermentation (Pholsen, Khota, Pang, Higgs, & Cai, 2016). Catchpoole & Henzell (1971) observed that the main fermented product in tropical grasses was acetic acid (AA), Yokota et al (1991) reported that the lactic acid (LA)-type fermentation dominated the whole ensiling, while Shao, Zhang, Shimojo, Wang, and Masuda (2005) found that guinea grass showed neither LA-type nor AA-type fermentation because of higher ethanol concentration.…”